Die-casting machine



. Feb. 10, 1925.

G. W. SMITH DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed June 16 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. W. SMITH Feb. 10, 1925.

DIE CASTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16 EN 3w 2 lLlr Flllll m mm M MW W M 0 Q mm DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 unmen 143M GEORGE W SM/TH.

F b. 10, 1925. v

G. w. SMITH DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig; 5

I, [1 0 I J 7' I awuwnto z GEORGE W' SMITH.

mmuummmg G. W. SMITH DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1921 5 ShetsShee,t 5

gwue/wtom 50965 W SMITH.

accompanying -drawing. 1

Pants Feb. 10, 1925.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

enema w. surrn, or DAYTON, 01110, ASSIGNOR 'ro omma rm imamm couram, canny-row, 01110, a coaeoaa'mon or NEW YORK;

nm-cas'rme uaonmn Application fled June 16, 1921. Serial No. 478,152.

.To whom it may concem:

3 Be it known that I,' Gnonen W. SMITH, citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, inthe county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Di'eCasting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the This invention relates to a die casting ma- 'chine.

one object of the invention is to provide a die casting machine which can be manipulated by a single-operator to'produce castings at a high rate of speed.

A further object of .the invention is to provide a machine of this kind of such a character that air will be prevented from entering the dies along with the metal, thereby-reducing to a minimum the number of defective castings due to blow holes.

r A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this kind in which the finished casting twill be automatically released and ejected. 1 I

A further object oflthe invention is to provide-a machine of such a character that little or no adjustment will be necessary to accommodate the same to dies of different kinds and sizes.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompan ing drawings Fig. -1 is a side elevation o a machine embodying my invention. partly in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is an end elevationof the machine; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line lk-i of Fig. '1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a transversejsectional view taken on the line 5- -5 'of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a'transverse sectional view of the controlling valve; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the controlling v'alve; Fig. 8 is a detail view of the disk forming part of the-valve; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of.

a melting pot; and-Fig. 10 is a-detail-view, partly in section-{showing the controlling device'for the valve of the melting pot.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodinient'of my invention and it will be understood that this particular embodiment has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only and that the mechanism may take various forms withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In that form of the invention here illustrated the machine comprises a main frame consisting of a base 1 having upright frame members 2 and 3 arranged near the ends thereof and connected one to the other by tie rods 4 extending lengthwise of the machine and arranged parallel one to the other. Mounted on the frame are two die supporting members, or plates, 5 and 6, which are movable toward and from the end plate 2 of the main frame and which are also movable relatively'one to the other. These plates are adapted to have secured.v to their inner faces the die blocks 7 and 8 within which the casting is formed. When the die supporting member 5 is in'its foremost position, that is, its position nearest the frame member 2, the die block. carried thereby'is placed in communication with the discharge opening of the melting pot and-whenthe die supporting member 6 is moved forward- 1y to the limit of itsmovement the facesof the two die blocks will'be brought into contactand the-die closed preparatory to the making of the casting. The die, supporting members may be mounted on the frame in any suitable manner, but in order that the die blocks may be retained in true parallelism and to facilitate the movement of the die supporting members I prefer to .mount. these members upon the tie rods 4,

the tie rods constituting guideways upon which the two membershave movement. As here shown, the forward'die. sup-.

porting member 5 is rigidly'secured at its corners to four sleeves 9 which fit snugly upon and are slidable upon the respective rods 4, thus providing long bearings for the die supporting member and retaining the same at all times at right angles to the guide rods and parallel with the frame member 2, and thus causing the same to move in a right line toward and from the frame member. The rear die supporting member 6 is also secured at its corners to sleeves, or elongated bearings, 10 which are preferably mounted upon the sleeves 9 of the forward die supporting members. The sleeves 10, also fit snugly upon, but have sliding movement'upon the sleeves 9 sothat the two diesupportiug members, or plates, are retained at all times in true parallelism.

Movement may be imparted to the die supporting members 5 and 6 in any suitable manner but I prefer to employ power operated mechanism for actuating these members and, as here shown, I have utilized hydraulic power for this purpose. By employing a fluid operated actuating device or the die supporting members I am enabled to use dies of varlous'sizes and kinds with little or no adjustment of the mechanism to accommodate the same thereto, because the fluid-operateddevice will actuate the die supporting members until they reach their final positions and will then maintain a steady pressure thereon in any position in which they may be stopped, and, consequently, will operate in the same manner and as efliciently with very-thick die blocks as it will with relatively thin die blocks. The pressure "of the fluid is transmitted to the die supporting members in such a manner that the movement thereof may be interrupted at any point without disarranging the mechanism or interfering with the cycle of operations of the mechanism as a whole. A hydraulic mechanism is preferable for this purpose because it is more easily controlled than air or the like, as oils and similar liquids are practicallynoncompressionable andtherefore have no tendency.

to expand after the pressure has been cut off. The hydraulic mechanism may be of any suitable character and may be connected with the die supporting members in any suitable manner. In the present construction I have shown a hydraulic cylinder 11 mounted in a horizontal position on the end frame member 3, in line with the die supportmg'members. A piston 12 is mountedin this cylinder and has connected therewith a piston rod 13 extending forwardl therefrom and connected with a cross ead or spider 14, the arms of which are rigidly secured to the rear ends of the sleeves 10 of the rear die supporting member 6; It will be apparent, therefore, that when fluid under pressureis admitted in the rear of the piston 12 the cross heads will be moved forwardly thus carrying the rear member 6 forwardly until the die block thereon engages the die block on the forward member 5 and the two members will then be carried forwardly to-',

die member is retracted until its sleeves come in contact with collars 15 secured to the sleeves 9 of the forward die supporting member 5; It is desirable, however, that the forward member be retracted simultaneously with the rear memberand I have, therefore, provided separate means for retracting this forward member. In the present instance this means consists of two Weights 16 which are connected by cables 17, extending about guide pulleys 18, with the collars 15 on the sleeves 9 of the forward die supporting member. Consequently, as soonas" the pressure on the piston is relieved the forward die supporting member will be retracted until the ends of its sleeves engage stops, or collars, 19 on the guides rods 4:, and the rear member' will .be retracted until its sleeves have engaged thestops, or collars, 15, thusseparating the two die supporting members and moving the forward die supporting member away from the frame member 2'. The operation of the fluid operated device may be controlled in any suitable manner and, as here shown, pipes 20 and 21 lead respectively from the front and rear ends of the cylinder 11 to a valve 22 which is arranged in such a position that it may be conveniently manipulated by the operator from his station at the side of the machine and this valve member in turn is connected with the pressure line 23 leading-to a source of supply for oil, or other fluid under pressure, and with an exhaust or discharge line 24. The valve preferably is of such a character-that the supply, or pressure, pipe 23 maybe connected with either end of. the cylinder, or cut-oil, from both ends of the cylinder, and the particular form of valve here shown comprises a valve casing consisting of a cup shaped portion 25 forming an inlet chamber and connected with the supply pipe 23. Connected with and preferably screw threaded into the cup shaped member 25 is a second member, or block, 26, having formeil therein longitudinally extending ports, or chambers, 27 and 27 .openmg through the inner end of the member 26 and communicating respectively with the pipes 21 and 20 leading to the cylinder 11. The member 26 of the casing also has formed therein a chamber-which is connected with the exhaust pipe 24 and which is provided with a port 28. Mounted within the concave member 25 and bearing against the end of the block 26 is a disk-like valve member 29 which is rigidly secured to and rotatable with a valve rod, or a shaft, 30 mounted at its outer end in a bracket 31 and having secured thereto a handle 32 by means of which i through the same, and is also provided in its inner face with an elongated port or groove 36 which extends part way through the disk and which is here shown as arranged between the ports 34 and 35. -Whenthe valve is in its intermediate, or neutral, position, vas shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the ports 34 and 35 of the valve member 29 are out of line with the respective ports 27 and 27 and the elongated port 36 is in line with the exhaust port 28 but is out of linewith the ports 27- and 27 and: both the inlet ports and the exhaust ports are closed. If

the valve member is rotated clock wise, in

Fig. 6, which will be'counter clock wise in Fig. 1, the port 34 will be brought intoline with the port 27 and the elongated port 36 will be .moved into line with the port 27 but will-remain in line with the port 28, thus permitting the fluid to pass from the supply pipe through the va ve chamber, ports 34 and 27, and pipe 21 to the rear end of the cylinder and in permitting the fluid to pass from the other end of the cylinder through the pipe 20 through the rts 27 36, and 28 to the exhaust ipe 24. y moving the valve in a counter c ock wise direction, in Fig. 6, to the position shown in Fig. 1, the port 35 will be brought into line with the port 27 and the port 36 will be brought into line with the port 27, whereby the connections are .reversed and the supply pipe 23 is connected with the supply pipe 20 leading to the forward end of the cylinder and the pipe 21is connected with the exhaust pipe. The valve disk 29' is preferably provided with a slot 129 into which extends a fixed pin 130 which serves to limit the movement of the valve member-in both directions.

' The major portion of the" casting is usually formed in the rear die block 8' and to eject the casting from the die block I have slidably mounted in the die supportin member 6 a seriesof fingers, or pins, 3 which extend through the die block and engage the casting therein. These pinsare connected at their outer ends by a plate 38 arranged in the path of a larger plate 39,

slidably mounted on studs 40 projecting radially from the member 6 and acted upon by springs 41 which tend to move the same away from the member 6. Rods 42 mounted in the rear frame member 3 project forwardly and lie in the path of the plate 39 so that as the diesupporting member 6 approaches the rear limit of its movement the plate 39 will beengaged by the rods 42, forced forwardly against the plate 38 which carries the pins 37, thereby actuating the pins and causing the same to release the castingirom the die. In the present machine I have alsoprovided means for cut--.

I ting the gate away from the casting and ejecting the same from the die' and from the tapered opening 43 in the forward die supporting member 5, which serves to connect the die with the melting pot. The die here shown is for casti'nga type wheel, such as are'used on-registersand computing machines of various kinds, and inasmuch as such a wheel is cast with a central opening to receive the shaft which is to carry the sameI have utilized the cutting device as a core for forming this central opening in the type wheel. As here shown, a-rod 44 is slidab y mounted in the rear die supporting member 6 and extends forwardly through the die block so that .it projects into the opening the die for a distance slightly less than the depth of that opening, thereby avoiding closing the opening or interfering with the entrance of the molten metal. the proper time, after the metal has been ad mitted to the die and before the pressure on the metal has been relieved, the rod 44 is forced forwardly, thus cutting away the gate and permitting the casting to move rearwardly with the die block After the die blocks have been movedr'earwardly a,

.the discharge of the gate. The rod, or ejector, 44 maybe actuated in any suitable manner but in the present instance it is controlled by a hand operated lever "'45 pivotallymounted at one end, as shown at 46, and having its otherend arranged at that side of the machine adjacent to the operators station whereit can be readily manipulated by him. To control the movement of the ejector rod I have arranged the lever between stops .47 mounted on a rod 48 extending {,earwardly from the rear supporting memer 6. e In certain types of castings, such for instance as the type, or counter, wheel, above mentioned, it is necessary that portions of the diebe moved outwardly to release the casting before the latter canbe ejected.- In the particular die here shown, see Fig. 5, the type faces are formed in radial bars 49 which form the peripheral portion of the die opening and in order that these radial b'arsmay be withdrawn to permit the removal of the casting each is provided with a pin 50 which extends into a'cam groove 51 formed in a ring, or actuating member, 52, rotatably mounted in the die block 8. The

other parts which must be moved to release the casting. I prefer that this movement should be imparted to the actuating member 52 automatically and to that end I have provided 'the actuating member, or ring, with an operating arm, or lever, 53 which is rigidly secured thereto and extends upwardly from the die block. This lever is connected with acable 54, one portion of which extends about a guide pulley 55 mounted on the upper edge of'the rear die supporting member 6 and is rigidly secured to the forward die supporting member 5. That portion of the cable 54 on the other side of the lever 53\eXtends about a guide pulley 57 on .the rear die supportingmemher and has connected therewith a weight 58. It will be apparent, therefore, that as the two die supporting members are separated movement may be impartedto the cable 54 and consequently to the lever '53 which is secured to the actuating device. Upon the next operation of the machine and as the rear die supporting member approaches the forward die supporting mem-.

her, the Weight 58 will actuate thelever 53 m the opposite direction,-thus restoring the movable die parts to their normal positions.

W1th certain kinds of castings it is de- .s1 rable that the rearward movement of the die supporting member should be inter rupted, before the ejectors areactuated, to

permit of the removal of a core or other part necessary to the formin' and whrch must be removed before the cast.- 1ng'1se ected. I have, therefore, provided means for automatically interruptingthe operatlon of the hydraulic mechanism and providmg the desired dwell in the movement of the die supporting member. To accomplish this Ihave provided means controlled by the n'lovement of the die supporting member to automatically move the controllingv valve for the cylinder into its neutral position. In the present construction -'I have connected with the handle 32 of the valve, and preferably with a disk 59 by means of which the handle is SBCIII'BdJiZO the shaft 30, aconnecting rod 60, the lower end of which is a pivotally connected with an arm 61 pivotally mounted on a bracket 62 and having a nose, or tngger, 63 which extends into the path of a projection, or stop, 64 mounted on the piston rod 13.

D The stop .64 is mounted on the piston rod in such a position'that it Will engage the trigger 63 and cause the valve to be moved into its neutral osition when the rear die supporting mem er has reached the desired position, and when it is not necessary to interrupt the movement of the'die supporting-member this stop may be moved into tan-inoperativepositionor entirely removed from the piston rod.

After the core has been removed or the other desired operation performed, the valve metal.

of the castingsary to discard the melting pot.

is manually actuated to again admit fluid in front of the piston 12 and cause the movement of the die supporting members to be completed. Inasmuch as the projection 64 will remain in engagement with the trigger 63 it would be impossible to again restore the valve to its operative position and I have, therefore, provided means for automatically imparting a slight further movement to the piston, after the valve has been moved to its neutral position, which movement will be sufiicient to carry the projection 64 beyond the trigger, thereby releasing the latter and permitting the'valve to be actuated. To azcomplish this I have mounted on the frame of, the machine an air cylinder 65, the lower end of which is interposed in the pipe 20 which connects the valve with the front end of the cylinder 11. Consequently, the fluid, or oil, passing through the pipe 20 to the cylinder will enter the cylinder and compress the air in the upper portion thereof, and when the valve has beenclosed this air will expand, thus ejecting the oil from the c, linder 65 to the cylinder 11, thereby impar ing a slight forward movement to the piston.

.In the operation of the ordinary die casting machine a great many defective castings result from krlow holes due to the entrance of air into the die along with the The molten metal is admittedto the pressure chamber, or goose neck, atrelatively long intervals and after a number of castings have been made it will fall to such a low level that the air which is utilized for forcing the metal into the diewill escape in small quantities about the metal in the goose neck and enter the dies. Further, as the level of the metal in the chamber, or goose neck, falls a thin deposit of metal is left on the sides of the chamber and in a V comparatively short time this deposit builds up to such an extent as to so interfere with the operation of the device that it is neces- In the present device I have provided a melting pot which not only adequately prevents the entrance of air into-the dies along with the metal but also reduces to a minimum the deposit of metallon the walls of the pressure chamber, thereby greatly lengthening the life of the melting pot. This I accomplish by maintaining the pressure chamber substantially full of molten metal at all times during the operation of the machine, a quantity of metal being delivered to the pressure chamber upon each operation of the machine to compensate for the metal discharged from the pressure chamber to make the casting. In the present construction the melting pot isindicated as, a whole by the reference numeral 66 and comprises a main ,compartment, or receptacle, 67, in

chamber, or goose neck, 68 which receives the metal from the melting compartment and delivers the same to the dies. "This pressure chamber is connected at one end with an air pipe, or conduit, 69 leadingto a source of supply forair under pressure and I controlled by a valve 70. At its opposite end it is provided with a nozzle 71 adapted to enter the tapered opening 43 in the forward die supporting member 5. In the present construction of the melting pot the walls.

of the melting compartment 67 taper downwardly and the ressure chamber extends from the top of t e pot beneath the lowest point thereof and then .u-pwardly a short distance so that the discharge opening or "nozzle is arran ed in ahorizontal plane a short distance a ove the bottom of the melting compartment. The pot, as a wholemay be mounted in any suitable manner, but

' preferably that end thereof adjacent to the discharge nozzle 71 is seated in an opening in the frame member 2 and the other end of the pot is supported by standards 72 resting upon the bottom ofa casin 73 which encloses the melting pot and within which, are arranged the burners for heating the same, these burners not being here shown. The melting compartment is provided at its lowest point with an outlet or port, 74.by means of which the molten metal may flow therefrom into the goose neck, or pressure chamber, 68 and this opening is controlled by a valve 75, which isnormally seated in the tapered upper portion of the opening and has an upwardly extending portion, or stem, 76, projecting above the pot and preferably guidedin an opening in a bar 77 extending across the top of the pot. I also prefer to provide thevalve with a fluted guide 78 which extends into the port 74 andserves not only to guide the valve accurately to its seat but also tends to prevent the pressure in the press sure chamber from forcing the metal from the latter about the valve. The valve stem 76 is pivo-tally connected at its upper end to, a lever 79 which is pivotally mounted at one end on a bracket 80 carried by the adjacent end of the'bar 77 and" is acted upon at its opposite end by a spring 81 which tends to lift the lever and unseat the valve .15. As here shown, the end of the lever 79 extends between two bars 82 which project upwardly from the horizontal bar 77 and the spring 81 is connected at oneaend with the lever and at the other endwith a projection 83 extending laterally from the bars 82. The lever 79' is held" normally in its depressed position, 'to hold the valve closed, by means ofa-bar 84 extending'between the upper edge of the lever and av stop, here shown as a roller,'85,'mounted between the two arms 86 of a bracket which is' secured to the bar77 and extends u lever.

any-suitable manner but in order that the operation of the valve may be automatic I have connected this bar with the forward die supporting member 5,'by means of a pivot pin 89 and have so arranged the recess 88 that it willbe moved past the stop.

upon each movement of the supporting member 5 in either direction, thus causing the valve to be opened and closed twice upon each complete operation of'the' mechanism, that is, uponthe making of each casting. The length of the recess 88 is such that the valve 'will remain open for a very short period of time and the upward movement of the valve may be regulated by means of a screw 90-. mounted in the upper end of the bracket, or bar, 82 and arrangedto regulate the upward movement of the In'this manner the amount of metal delivered from the melting compartment to the pressure chamber each time the valve is opened may beaccurately regulated, and where, as in the present instance, the valve opens twice upon each operation of the mechanism, the opening of the valve :is so regulated and so timed that theamount of metal delivered to the pressure chamber upon each opening of the valve is equal to approximately half the amount of metal discharged from the pressure chamber in the making of the casting." Consequently,- the molten metal in the pressure chamber is, replenished after eachfdisc'haLrge there from to maintainthe same substantially at a predetermined level, which level is' preferably approximately the plane of the lower j edge of the discharge opening in the nozzle 71. It will be apparent, therefore, that the whole body of metal in the pressure chamber lies between the air which isadmitted to the pressure chamber and the discharge opening and that this air calf not escape about the metal to they discharge opening.

The small amount of air, which? may he ,mittedto the pressure chamber will esca 'e" in the discharge opening when air is adto the dies in advance of the metal and Wl'li escape, through the usual vents with which the dies are provided. Asa result, the castings are practically free from blow holes, the percentage of rejections being but a small fraction of one per cent in actual production. The valveYO which controls the admission of the air" under pressure to the pressure h m may be actuated in any suitable manner but as here shown it is actuated by a cable 91 extending about suitable guidesand having a depending portion provided with a handle 92 arranged adjacent to the I operators station.

The construction and operation of the mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description and itwill be apparent 'that I haven provided a die casting 10 machine which can be easily controlled by a single operator. The operations necessary are, first, to open the valve 22 to' admit the fluid in the rear of the piston .12, thereby closing the dies and establishing the connection between the same and the melt ing pot. When this has been accomplished, the valve 70 is opened to admit air under pressure to the pressure chamber of the melting pot, thus forcing the molten metal into the dies and forming the casting. At

porting member has moved a sufficientdistance from the nozzle 71 .the-cutter "rod is-furtheractuated to eject the gate; If the i 'with the first mentioned die supporting be removed the rearward movement continues until the ejectors 37 are actuated casting is a simple one with no core to to release'the casting, which maybe permitted to dro into a suitable receptacle or may be received in the hand of'the operator: The casting operation has then been 5 completed and the valve is again opened and the cycle of operations repeated. Not only is it possible for the machine to be thus operated by a single operator but its operation isso easy and sorapid that a 40 single operator can, without exertion, producea number of castings per hour greatly in excess of what can be produced by any other die casting machine with which I am familiar. Further, because of the freedom fromblow holes, there is a very small percentage of rejections and the net production exceeds. the net production of such other die casting machines toi-an extent considerably greater than the gross production of the. present machineexce'eds the gross productionof such other machines. The machine is simple in its construction and is easilymaintained in operation, as the parts are not of a delicate or finely adjusted character and are not easily disarranged so as toaffect-the.opera-tioii -"of the machine. Furtheri little; or no 7 adj ustmen'tf is required in the-fchanging of dies; even" through the dies may'difi'er in "size. and

character to a very great extent. This is due to the fluid o erated mechanism for actuating the die b ocks which permits the die supporting members to automatically adjust themselves according to the size of the die blocks. In the ordinary die castin the art.

Having now fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said opening, a, die supporting member movable in a right line toward and from said opening, a second die supporting membermovable in a right line toward and from the first mentioned member, and a single device for moving said second d1e supporting member into operative relation member and then moving both members to bring the first member into operative relation with said discharge opening.

'2. In a machine of thecharacter described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metalthrough said opening, a die supporting member movable in a right hne toward and from said opening, a second d1e supporting member movable in a right line toward and from the first mentioned member, a power operated mechanism a single operation of whiz-h will move thesecond die supporting member-into operative relation ,Wlth the first die supporting member andthen move,

both members to bring the first -mentioned member into operative relation with the said discharge opening.

In a machine of the character,described, a frame having a guideway, a meltingipot having a discharge opening arranged near one end of sald guideway, means for forcing metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member' slidablv mounted on said guideway and movable toward and from said opening, a second die supporting member slldably mounted on said gu-ideway for movement toward and from the first mentioned member, a single operating device havlng operative connection with said second dle supporting member and 'so arranged that the movement thereof 'in one direction will move said second. d1e supportln member into "operative relation with t e first mentioned die supporting member and will then move both members to bring the first mentioned die supporting member into operative relation with said discharge opening. 7

4. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, a frame having a guldeway, a melt-.

ingpot having a discharge openlng arranged near one end of said guideway,. means to force molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member. slidably mounted on said guideway and movable toward and from" said opening, a

second die supporting member slidably mounted on said guidewayfor movement toward and from the first mentioned memher, means for maintaining said members in true parallelism, and a single device for moving said second die supporting member into operative relation with the first die supporting member, and then moving both members to move the first mentioned memher. ,into operative 'relation with said discharge opening.

5. In a machine of the character described, a frame having parallel guiderods', a melting pot having a discharge opening arranged near one end of the said frame,

means to force molten metal through said ative relation with said discharge opening.

6. In a machine of the character described, a frame comprising parallel guide rods, a melting pot having a discharge opening andmeans to force molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member having elongated bearings slidably mounted on the respective guide rods, a second die supporting member having'elongated bearings slidably mounted on the bearings of the first mentioned die supporting. member, and a single operating device for moving said die supporting members relatively one to the other and" in unison.

7.'In a 'machine of the character describd,1afframe comprising parallel guide -r'ods, a' melting pot having a discharge openingand-w means to force molten metal through said discharge openingy a die-supporting member having elongated bearingsfslidabljl-f mounted on the respective guide rods stops on said guide rods to limit the movement of said die supporting member in one direction, a second die supporting mem her having elongated bearings slidably mounted on the bearings of the first mentioned die supporting member, stops carried by the bearings of'said first mentioned die supporting member to limit the movement of the last mentioned die supporting memher away from the first mentioned die sup porting member, and means for actuating said die supporting members relatively one to the other and in unison.

8. In a machine of the character described, a frame comprising parallel guide rods, a. melting pot having a discharge opening, means toforce molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member having elongated bearings slidably mounted onthe respective gui e rods, a second die supporting member, having elongated bearings slidably mounted on the bearings of the first mentioned die supporting member, said die supporting members being so arran ed that said second member W111 move said first mentioned mem-' 'ber toward said discharge opening, and a fluid operated device operatively connected with said second die supporting member.

9. In a machine of the character described,'a frame comprising parallel guide rods, a melting pot having a discharge opening and means to force through said discharge opening, a die sup; porting member having elongated bearings slidably mounted on the respective gui e rods, a second die supporting member having elongated bearings 'slidably mounted on molten metal the bearings of the first mentioned.die sup-.-

port-ing member, and a fluid operated device operatively connected with said second die supporting member for moving both of said die supporting members to their'operative positions and for retracting said second die supporting member, and means otherthan said fluid operated first mentioned die supporting member.

-10. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member movable toward and from said dis: charge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned member, a fluid operated device device for retracting the V operatively} connected with said second die supporting member to move the same toward the first mentioned member and then move both members towardsaid discharge opening, and a valvecontrolling the operation of said fluid operated device.

11. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means to. forcei'metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member movable toward and fromi said dis-' charge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned member 'and adapted to move said first mentioned member toward said discharge opening, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston mounted in said cylinder and operatively connected with said second die supporting member, and means for controlling the operation of said piston.

12. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means to force metal through said discharge opening, 'a die'supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned member and adapted to move the said first mentioned member toward said discharge opening,a cross head connected with said second die supporting member, a hydraulic cylinder, a 'piston for said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston directly with said cross head, and means for controlling the movement ofsaid piston.

13. In a machine of the, character described, a framehaving parallel guideways, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means to force metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member mounted. on said guideways for movement toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member mounted on said guideways and movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a fluid operated device comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame, a piston for said cylinder, 2. piston rod for said piston, an operative connection between said'piston rod'and. said second die supporting member, and means for controlling the movement of said piston.

14. In a machine of the character described, a frame having parallel guideways, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means to force metal through said discharge opening, a die supportingmember mounted 011 said guidewaysfor movement toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member mounted on said guideways and movable toward and from the first mentioned 'die supporting member, a fluid operated device comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame in a line parallel with said guideways, a piston for said cylinder, a piston rod for said piston, an operative connection between said piston rod and said second die supporting means, and means for controlling the movement of said piston.

15. In a' machine of the character described, a frame having parallel guide rods,

a meltingpot having a discharge opening, means to force molten metal throughsaid discharge opening, a die supportin member having elongated bearings mounte on said guide rods and movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting. member having bearings mounted and means for controlling the flow of fluid to said cylinder.

16. In a machine of the character described, a frame having parallel guide rods, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means to force molten metal through said discharge opening. a die supporting member having elongated bearings mounted on said guide rods and movable toward and, from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member having bearings mounted on the bearings of the-first mentioned die supporting member and movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a cross head connected with the bearings of said second die supporting member, a cylinder mounted on said frame on a line parallel with said guide rods, 2. piston for said cylinder, a piston rod for said piston connected directly with said cross head, means for admitting fluid under pressure to either end of said cylinder, and retracting devices connected with the first mentioned the supporting member.

17. In a machine of the character described, aef'rame, a melting pot carried by said frame and having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal thrpugh said discharge opening, a die supporting member mounted on said frame for movement toward andfrom said discharge opening, a die car ried-by said supporting member, said sup- .porting member having an opening to connect said die with the discharge opening of said melting pot, a.second die supporting member mounted on said frame for movement toward and from the first mentionedsupporting members, a rod mounted in said second die supporting member and extending into the die to form a core therefor, and means for actuating said rod to sever the casting in said die from the metal in the opening leading to the die-and for ejecting said metal from said opening. Y

18. In a machine of the character described, a frame having parallel guides, a melting pot having -a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member mounted on said guides for movement toward and from said discharge opening, a die carried by said die supporting member, said die supporting member having an opening to connect said die with said dischargeopening, a second die supporting member mounted on said' guides forimovement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a die carried by said second die supporting member to cooperate with the first mentioned die, means for actuating said die supporting members, a rod mounted in said second die supporting member movable therewith and arranged to form a core for said dies and to sever the casting in said dies from the metal in. the opening leading to said dies, and an actuating device movable with said second die supporting member and operatively connected with said rod. I

19. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a' die supporting member mounted for movement toward and from said discharge opening, a die carried by said die supporting member, a second die supporting member mounted for. movement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a die carried by said second die supporting member to cooperate with the first mentioned die, means for actuating said die supporting members, one of said dies comprising a part movable away from the casting to release the latter from the die, and means for automatically actuating said part.

20. Ina machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member mounted for movement toward and from said discharge opening, a die carried by said diesupporting member, a second die supporting member mounted for movement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a die carried by ,said second die supporting member to cooperate with the first mentioned die,

means for actuating said die supporting members, one of said dies comprising a part movable away from the casting to release the latter from the die, and means controlled by the movement of the second die supporting member away from the firstdie supporting member to move said part of said the into a position touelease the casting.

21. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, .means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supportin membermounted for movement toward and from said discharge opening, a

die carried by said die supporting member, a

second die supporting member mounted for movement-toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a die carried by said second die supporting member to c'0- operate with the first mentioned die, means for actuating said die supporting member, one of said dies comprising a plurality of parts having radial movement to release I the casting from the die, an actuating device carried by said die and operatively connected with said radially movable parts, an operating arm connected with said actuating device, and means controlled by the relative movement of the die supporting members for imparting movement to said operating arm.

22. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, die supporting members adapted to support dies in operative relation with said discharge opening, and cooperating dies carried by said die supporting members, one of said dies comprising a part which is movable to release the casting therefrom, and means for actuating said'part.

23. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, die supporting members adapted to support dies in operative relation with said discharge openthrough said discharge opening, die supporting members adapted to support dies in operative relation with said discharge opening, cooperating dies carried by said die supporting members, one of said dies comprising a radially movable part the movement of which will release the casting from the die, and means for automatically actuating said radially movable part.

25. In a machine of the character described, a frame having guideways, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member mounted on said guideways for movement toward and from said discharge opening, a die carried.

by said member, a second diesupporting member mounted on said guideways for movement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a die carried byv said second member, an ejector carried by said second die supporting member and eX- tending into the die, means for actuating said die supporting members, an actuating plate carried by said second die supporting member for imparting movement to said ejector, springs for holding said plate nor- .mally in an inoperative position, and stops carried by said frame and arranged in the path of said plate to cause the ejector to be actuated by the movement of said second die supporting member away from the first mentioned die supporting member.

26. In a machine of the character described, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member adapted to support a die in communication wit-h'said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a fluid operated device comprising a cylinder and a piston, an operative connection between said piston and said second die supporting member, a valve to control the .flow of fluid to said cylinder, and means to automatically actuate said valve to interrupt the movement of said piston before it has completed its stroke.

27. in a machine of the character described, a frame,\a melting pot having a discharge opening, \means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting memben adapted to support a die in communication with said discharge opening, a second die supporting member mounted for movement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a fluid operated device comprising a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod for said piston, an operative connection between said piston rod and said second die supporting member, a valve to control the flow of fluid to said cylinder, an actuating device connected with said valve, anda projection carried by said piston rod, said actuating device for said valve having a part arranged in the path of said projection.

28. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, a frame, a melting pot havin a discharge opening. means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member adapted to support a die in communication with said discharge opening, a second die supporting member mounted) for movement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a fluid operated device comprislng a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod for said piston, anoperative connection between said piston rod and said second die supporting member, a valve to control the flow of fluid to said cylinder, an actuating device connected with said valve, a projection carried by said piston rod, said actuating device for said valve having a part arranged in the path of said projection, and means to move said projection beyond said part ofsa-id actuating device after said valvehas been actuated.

'29. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a melting pot having a discharge opening, means for forcing molten metal through said discharge opening, a die supporting member adapted to support a die in communication with said discharge opening, a second die supporting member mounted for movement toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, a fluid operated device comprislng a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod for said piston, anoperative connection between said piston rod and said second die supportin member, a controlling valve for said cylin er connected with a supply pipe, pipes leading from said valve to the respective ends of said cylinder, an actuating device for said valve comprising a trigger, a tripping device carried by said piston rod and arranged to engage said trigger to move said valve to a neutral position, an air chamber interposed in the pipe leading from said valve to one end of said cylinder whereby the flow of fluid from said valve to said cylinder will compress the air in said chamber, and said compressed air will expand after said valve has been moved to a neutral osition and cause a further movement to e imparted to said piston-to carry the tripping device on said piston rod beyond said tri ger.

30. In a mec anism of the character described, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said compartment and having a discharge opening, means to force molten metal through said discharge opening, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber, means for automatically actuating said valve upon each operation of said mechanism, and means for controlling the amount. of movement imparted to said valve to regulate the amount of metal delivered to said chamberupon each opening of said valve.

31. In a mechanism of the character described, a melting pot comprisinga compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said compart= ment and having a discharge opening, die supporting members one of which is movable, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between the melting compartment and said chamber, and means'controlled by the movement of said movable die supporting member to actuate said valve.

32. Ina mechanism of the character described, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said" compartmentand having a discharge opening, a die supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to'the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber, a lever operatively connected with said Valve,

and means controlled by the movement of one of said die supporting members to actuate said lever.

34. In a mechanism of the character described, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said compartmentand having a discharge opening, a die supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber, a lever operatively connected with said valve, means controlled by the movement of one of said die supporting members to actuate said lever, and adjustable means to regulate the amount of movement imparted to said lever.

35. In a mechanism ofthe character described, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said compartment and having a discharge opening,- a die supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber, a lever operatively connected with said valve, an actuating bar connected With one of said die supporting members and extending between said lever and a fixed stop and having a cam surface to cause said lever to he operated by the movement of said die supporting member.

36. In a mechanism of the character desiribcd, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said compartment and having a discharge opening, a die supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supportingv member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and-said chamber, a leveroperatively connected with said valve,

a spring acting on said lever to move the same in a direction to open said valve, a bar connected with one of said die supporting members and extending across said lever, and a fixed stop arranged to normally prevent the movemcnt of said .bar and said lever and having a recess adapted to be brought into line with said stop by the movement of said die supporting member.

and thus permit said leverto be actuated by said spring. i

37. In a mechanism of the character described, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicating with said compartment and having a discharge opening, a die supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned the supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the-dies carried by said die supporting members, avalve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber, a

' lever operatively connected with said valve,

a spring acting on said lever to move the same in a direction to open said valve, a bar connected with one of said die supporting members and extending across said lever, a fixed stop arranged to normally prevent the movement of said bar and said lever and having a recess adapted to be brought into line with said stop by the movement of said die supporting member and thus permit said lever to be actuated by said spring, said recess being so arranged that it .will be twice moved into and outof line with said 'stopupon each complete reciprocation of said die supporting member.

38. In a mechanism of the character described, a melting pot comprising a compartment in which the metal is melted, a chamber communicatin with said compartment and having a disc iarge opening. a die supporting member movable toward and from said discharge opening, a second die supporting member movable toward and from the first mentioned die supporting member, means for discharging molten metal from said chamber to the dies carried by said die supporting members, a valve to control the communication between said melting compartment and said chamber, a lever operatively connected With said valve, a spring acting on said lever to move the same in a direction to open said valve, a controlling bar pivotally mounted on one of said die supporting members and having its lower edge resting upon said lever, a bracket extending above said lever and having a stop to engage the upper edge of said bar, said bar having a recess in its upper edge adapted to be brought into and out of line with said stop by the movement of said die supporting member, thereby causing the valve to be opened and closed upon each movement of said die supporting member.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signa ture hereto.

GEORGE W. SMITH. 

